Happy Holidays, Martha

By Sean Gregory and Daniel Kadlec Sunday, Dec. 01, 2002
    • After the year she's had, Martha Stewart could use some Christmas cheer. In the wake of her insider-trading scandal, she stopped appearing on CBS's The Early Show, resigned from the board of the New York Stock Exchange and saw her face removed from K Mart's holiday ads. But, overall, the season seems to be treating her well. K Mart says sales of Stewart's Everyday line of linens and housewares are up this year, and her new line of holiday wares — ornaments, wreaths, lights — is off to a fast start too. "People are separating Martha Stewart Living the brand from Martha Stewart the personality," says K Mart CEO James Adamson. But how about her other ventures?

    THE TV SHOW
    Ratings for her daily syndicated program are down, and she canceled her holiday special, citing cost and the "uncertainty" of her personal situation.
    Not a good thing

    THE MAGAZINE
    Ad pages for Living are up 19% in December and 5.4% for the year.
    A good thing

    THE PAINT
    Sales of her 416-color line have grown six out of seven months since debuting at Sherwin-Williams stores.
    A good thing

    THE FURNITURE
    Under a partnership with Bernhardt, her 200-unit collection hits stores in April. About 400 retailers have committed, and reviewers have dubbed it a "clear winner."
    Could be a good thing